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Always think about Sfd2 against the Triangle

Sure, nice trick in the catalan against the triangle, but you tend to forget that black (above 2000 Elo, like you are) tend to play the position right, that is the new method is to give the primarly check on b4 early game, that is x. ... Bb4+ x.Bd2 Bd6!?, then Nfd2 doesn't work and black is fine. For this matter see how ponomariev handles this position, it's a dead end for white (the easiest draw for black)
Well in this move order i'm pretty sure 5. ...Nbd7 is inaccurate and 5. ... dxc4 is critical. However I have played a similar position more than once out of a different move order when white lets me get my bishop out:
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 Bf5 5. Nc3 h6 6. Bg2 e6 7. O-O Nbd7 8. Nd2 Be7 (it's better placed in this position on d6) 9. e4 dxe4 10. Ndxe4
So this obviously is a slightly better version than presented, because my bishop is active and I have a bishop on e7. On the flipside, white does not risk dxc4 early in that move order. In any case I have played this position (it was part of my preparation from black side a few times) and the engine always said it's 100% equal, but I never fully understood why, I think even here white should retain some microadvantage due to better center control. I'd like to hear som opinions on that position.
Right! Early Bb4+ or accepting the half-gambit with dxc4 is another story outside the scope of many triangulators. Yeah, without mistakes made by my opponents I would still be waiting for my first win. ;)
Interesting! I will try the idea. I've hard to play this position against blacks very solid setup.

Although moving same piece twice in opening it looks interesting. Makes it easier to play e4 and open up for Bg2.
That play from black looks really weird. I would always play 4...Bb4+ or dxc4. Also strange that he prepared e5 so much but then never actually played it...
But ok, I am sure I also do a lot of stupid things in blitz, so... :D
I rarely encounter players who play it correctly. Most time it's an simple +/-.

There’s always the triangle ringing... and sac(k)ing the Queen is always fun!

1/0/0 ACPL 12


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